Pet parents are becoming more and more aware of how important dental health is for a pet’s overall wellbeing. With this growing awareness and clinical studies showing that 80-90 percent of dogs over the age of 3 have some degree of periodontal disease, it’s no surprise that pet parents are spending more on dental care than ever before. In fact, the U.S. pet dental health market size was estimated to be worth a whopping $2.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue to grow through 2030. But just how much is a dog teeth cleaning going to cost you?
Why Dogs May Need Professional Dental Cleaning
A professional dog dental cleaning is needed to remove plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of the teeth, as well as beneath the gumline. Professional dental cleanings are usually performed when the dog has tartar build-up on the teeth, inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), periodontal disease, and/or fractured teeth.
Professional dental cleanings are performed with your dog under general anesthesia. This allows the veterinarian to examine every surface of the tooth, to probe and clean under the gumline, to take X-rays of the teeth, and to perform any necessary treatments.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that small dogs have a full dental cleaning that includes dental X-rays by the time they are 1 year old and that large dogs have one by the time they’re 2 years old. Some veterinarians recommend annual dental cleanings while other veterinarians recommend dental cleanings based on what they see when they examine your dog’s mouth.
Your dog’s annual or biannual wellness exams should include an oral exam that can be used to aid these decisions.
How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?
The cost of dog teeth cleaning and extraction is going to vary based on where you live and how complicated the procedure is. We’ll discuss the general range you can expect and what might impact the cost of dog teeth cleaning. If your pet is going to have a dental procedure, make sure to speak with your veterinary team to get an estimate so you know what to expect.
Average Dog Dental Cleaning Cost
According to MetLife Pet Insurance, the average dog teeth cleaning cost ranges from $300 to $2,000. This likely depends on whether the procedure is performed by a general practitioner or a dental specialist, as well as how complicated the specific procedure is. Embrace Pet Insurance states that the average bill for a dental cleaning with a general practitioner is around $300 to $600 while the average bill with a dental specialist is around $1,000 to $2,000.
The cost of a dental cleaning generally includes:
- Anesthesia
- A full oral exam
- Dental X-rays
- Scaling the teeth
- Polishing the teeth
If your veterinarian expects to perform any dental extractions or specialty dental procedures (e.g., root canals), they will generally include this in the estimate provided before the procedure.
Keep in mind that a lot of each tooth is located under the surface of the gumline, so your veterinarian may not know the full extent of your dog’s dental disease until they’re able to probe around the teeth and take X-rays with your pet under anesthesia. It’s very common for a veterinarian to contact you with additional findings while your pet is under anesthesia.
Factors that Impact the Cost
Aside from your geographical location, other factors impact the cost of dog teeth cleaning. These factors include:
Your dog’s size: Smaller dogs usually require lower doses of anesthetics and pain medications.
Your dog’s age and underlying conditions: Older dogs and those with underlying health conditions like heart or kidney disease may require additional lab work prior to their dental cleaning. In some cases, they may also need alternative anesthetic protocols or pain medications that can change the cost.
The severity of periodontal disease: A dog with severe dental disease will usually be under anesthesia longer than a dog with minimal periodontal disease. Severe periodontal disease may also lead to more intensive procedures, like tooth extraction. Longer anesthesia times and more complicated dental procedures will increase the cost.
Whether dental radiographs are performed: Dental X-rays (radiographs) are usually considered a standard of care part of dental cleanings. This means dental X-rays are an expected component of every dental cleaning. However, some animal shelters or non-profit clinics may be willing to perform dental cleanings without X-rays if it’s the difference between a pet getting some dental care or no dental care.
The number of tooth extractions (if any): Tooth extractions are a surgical procedure, and they increase the cost of a dental cleaning. These extractions usually include flapping up the gums, drilling bone, removing the tooth, and suturing the area closed.
Whether advanced dental procedures are performed: Advanced procedures like root canals and dental crowns are becoming more common. These specialty procedures are usually performed by veterinary dentists, which are veterinarians who are board-certified in veterinary dentistry. Procedures performed by specialists will usually be more costly than procedures performed by general practitioners.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Dental Cleanings?
Most pet insurance policies do not cover dental cleanings because they’re considered wellness or preventative care. However, accident and illness or comprehensive plans sometimes cover treatment for specific dental issues, such as fractured teeth.
Keep in mind that these policies may only cover up to a certain amount or percentage of your total bill, and there is often a deductible you must meet before coverage kicks in. Many pet insurance plans also require you to pay the veterinarian upfront and submit a claim to insurance before being reimbursed.
You should be aware that pet insurance plans can refuse to cover pre-existing conditions. In some cases, this can include dental conditions.
If you’re looking for an insurance plan that covers dental cleanings, your best bet is to look for a wellness plan. Wellness plans are usually available as add-ons to a comprehensive or accident and illness plan.
Regardless of what type of insurance plan you’re choosing, make sure you know what is and is not covered for dental care. It’s also important to understand your deductible and reimbursement rate and that you are aware of any annual limits or waiting periods.
Tips for Managing Dog Teeth Cleaning Costs
The truth is that professional dentistry for dogs can cost a lot upfront, and this cost isn’t always easily manageable. Options you can consider for alleviating the financial burden of your dog’s dental cleaning cost include:
- Looking for a low-cost or non-profit provider (income requirements may apply)
- Applying for CareCredit if accepted by your provider
- Asking your clinic about payment plans (not available at all clinics)
- Getting pet insurance that includes dental coverage (often add-on wellness plans)
- Choosing a clinic that has a wellness and/or dental care plan you can opt into, which can spread the cost of your pet’s healthcare over the year
A Warning About Anesthesia-Free Cleanings
When it comes to low-cost dog teeth cleaning options, you may come across what is called an anesthesia-free dental cleaning. Please note that these dental cleanings are considered unprofessional and unsafe by most major veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Veterinary Dental College, and AAHA.
Dental cleanings performed without anesthesia do not allow for safe X-rays to be taken, for the veterinarian to safely probe around your dog’s teeth, or for the veterinarian to clean under the gumline. Advanced treatments like tooth extractions or root canals cannot be performed on a conscious dog.
Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy Between Cleanings
Luckily, there is a lot you can do at home to keep your dog’s teeth clean and their breath fresh. The following tips may help reduce your pet’s need for professional dental care:
Regularly brush your dog’s teeth. The gold standard would be to brush your dog’s teeth with a pet-safe toothbrush at least once daily. After all, plaque can begin to build up on your dog’s teeth in under 24 hours. If you can’t commit to brushing your dog’s teeth at least once daily, the minimum for preventing tartar formation is to brush the teeth three times weekly.
Get your dog chewing and provide dental dog toys. The act of chewing can help to scrub your dog’s teeth, helping to keep them clean. Dental toys for dogs are designed to help clean your pup’s teeth. You can ask your veterinarian about other dog-safe options to encourage chewing.
Feed a healthy diet. You should feed your dog a healthy diet that meets their dietary needs. In the United States, you can look for an AAFCO statement. This indicates that the food meets the nutritional standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For dogs who struggle with dental health, there are prescription dental diets that are designed to scrub at the teeth as the dog chews.
Don’t allow your dog to chew on hard bones or toys. If your dog chews on hard bones or toys, your dog may break a tooth. Not only is this super painful for your dog, but repairing or extracting a broken tooth sometimes requires specialty dental care. Toys should have some bend in them or be soft enough for you to indent with a nail.